The Condemned

Echoes from the Past, Book 6

By: Irina Shapiro

Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson

2015. Dr. Quinn Allenby thinks she’s seen it all, but when the remains of a young woman and her newborn are discovered in a cave in Cornwall, the only clue to her death is a smooth-edged hole in the top of the skull and the indisputable evidence that the victim was still alive, and possibly in labor, when the coffin was sealed. Torn between her professional commitments and her desperate need to find her missing twin, Quinn agrees to a daring plan, one that will lead to the Taliban-occupied mountains of Afghanistan and the snow-covered alps of Germany.

1620. After suffering years of abuse at the hands of her uncle, Mary takes the ultimate risk and sails for the New World, where the promise of a new life and an arranged marriage to a colonist await. Mary is determined to make her marriage a success, but her husband’s indifference drives her straight into the arms of the one man she thought she could never love.

©2019 Irina Shapiro (P)2019 Irina Shapiro

Always an exciting new case for Quinn to solve!

Can't wait for Book 7 -- each book has two storylines unfolding simultaneously! As Quinn works to solve ancient mysteries using her supernatural gift, another present day plot and story is revealed. Love the characters! And love the variety of historic time periods -- all different! Keep the books coming Ms. Shapiro!

Beautiful work

In 1620, England is trying to stabilize their new colony in Virginia and women are asked to go to the New World to marry men they've never met and start families. Mary is terrified to leave the only home she's ever known, but it's the only way to escape her abusive uncle. She bonds with her fellow wives during the voyage, but her intended is less than she hoped. A chance meeting in the forest with a stranger gives her hope her life could be something more. But in a time of unrest in Virginia, a step in the wrong direction could be deadly.


In 2015, Quinn is called to a seaside cave, where a skeleton is found, evidence of a crude medical procedure and a birth evident. But she can't focus on the body when she receives news that her twin sister is missing. Through war-torn Afghanistan, Germany, and colonial Virginia, Quinn isn't just reconstructing the life of a long-dead woman, but her own reality as the puzzle pieces of her past fall into place.


The historical work Shapiro puts into her writing is always fantastic. People have the idea of colonists who went to the New World as happy families who grew corn alongside the indigenous people and loved in cozy cabins. The truth is messier with colonial aggression, "main order brides," and a history that paints the settlers in a less than flattering light. Then there's this bit about the lost colony of Roanoke that had me going down a research wormhole, something I always enjoy.


On the question of the Native Americans (Side note, I use this term as this is what my husband and his family describe themselves as. Others may dislike this term and we should take individual wishes into consideration.) described in this book, I always hold my breath when someone is introduced. Since going to college and marring my husband, I've learned more about tribal culture and the backstories of forced relocations and "re-education." So I'm always a bit annoyed with how some books "fetishize" the Native experience. But Shapiro didn't do that. The ones seen in the book were written as actual people with real struggles. The added conversations surrounding the differing religions and social hierarchies was also true to form, and I really appreciate the added depth.


Overall, I thought this book was amazing. Between the narrative talent of Wendy Wolfson, the sweeping storyline, and the twist near the end that left me reeling, this installment was another hit.


Beautiful Tragedy

As with all of Ms. Shapiro's books in this series, readers know that Quinn is investigating death for the Echoes series. It's still always shocking to learn the details of the person's life whose remains are discovered. I'm glad that I'm not endowed with the gift of sight. I'd become too emotionally involved in the victim's story. I can't wait to see what's in store for Quinn's newly discovered family members.

I wish....

another great book in the series! I just wish that Walker had gone back to the Forrester cabin and taken out Simon and travesty! they deserved it!

Awesome Story!

I just love this series and am completely caught up in the ongoing story of Quinn and her search for her biological family members along with the various stories from the past that are combined in each of the author’s books in this series. The story line in The Condemned with the danger-ridden harrowing search of Quinn’s missing twin in war-torn Afghanistan will keep you on edge. And the portion of the story dealing with the discovery of Mary and her infant’s body is especially interesting and very tragic. I received this audiobook at my request and I voluntarily wrote a review.

Suspenseful!

This sixth book in the series is full of suspense as Quinn continues the search for her twin sister. Her boss and friend Rhys Morgan certainly shows his true colours in this book and my respect for him improves tenfold! Plus every woman should have a husband as patient and devoted as Gabe. Mary’s story is terribly tragic to say the least. As usual the book left me anxious to learn more about what happens in the next instalment. Of course Wendy Wolfson does a superb job with the narration. I received a free copy of this audiobook and have voluntarily provided an unbiased review.

Excellence

The excellence of this series is a story I hope is continued with more episodes because it is beyond belief one of the best series I’ve ever ever listen to and I hope there are more to come thank you for writing these books thank you for the beautiful narration

One of the best so far!

I’m absolutely hooked. I start the next book immediately upon finishing the current one. Hight recommend starting at Book One and then continuing.

The Condemned

This is a fantastic series. Quinn an archeologist works with dicovering what happened to people in the past. In this read she goes looking for twin sister that she was seperated from after birth. This is a very riveting story with twists and turns. That captivated me from start to finish. The Narrator does a Fantastic at bringing the characters out. The Author does a fantastic job at bringing the read to fruition. I definitely recommend this listen. And the series.
Shauna Joesten

I love this series

I love this series. Irena is a great writer and I have really enjoyed this series since the beginning. Looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book